Detachable lamp socket assembly

ABSTRACT

A detachable lamp socket assembly having a lamp socket for receiving a bulb, prongs extending from the bottom of the lamp socket, the prongs being connected within the socket to the bulb and lamp switch terminals, a lamp base assembly including a receptacle at the top thereof for detachable contact with the socket prongs and a cavity mounting position associated with the receptacle, the socket prongs being detachably insertable into the lamp base assembly for electrical engagement therewith, and the cavity sized to engage in snug fitting detachable contact with a substantially cylindrical rim provided at the bottom of the lamp socket.

United States Patent Izumi [4 1 Apr. 3,1973

54] DETACHABLE LAMP SOCKET 2,416,285 2/1947 Buckingham etal .I...339/l70 ASSEMBLY [76] Inventor: John Izumi, 105 East Ohio St., Primary EmmmeF'Mal-vm A'champlon Chicago, 111.

Filed: July 6, 1971 App]. No.: 159,943

US. Cl. ..339/92 R, 339/154 L, 339/170, 339/191 L, 339/195 L Int. Cl. ..H01r 13/54 Field of Search.339/92, 136, 137, 147 R, 147 P, 339/154, 170, 180, 191 R, 191 A, 191 L, 195 R, 195 A, 195 L;240/52.6, 153

References Cited 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS Assistant Examiner-Lawrence J. Staab Att0rneyCharles J. Merriam et a1.

57 ABSTRACT A detachable lamp socket assembly having a lamp socket for receiving a bulb, prongs extending from the bottom of the lamp socket, the prongs being connected within the socket to the bulb and lamp switch terminals, a lamp base assembly including a receptacle at the top thereof for detachable contact with the socket prongs and a cavity mounting position associated with the receptacle, the socket prongs being detachably insertable into the lamp base assembly for electrical engagement therewith, and the cavity sized to engage in snug fitting detachable contact with a substantially cylindrical rim provided atthe bottom of the lamp socket.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures DETACHABLE LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY This invention relates to lamp apparatus, and particularly to improvements in lamp sockets.

In the wiring of lamp sockets, the electrical wires extending from the line plug pass through the lamp base upwardly into the lamp socket and are secured to the switch and bulb terminals. The actual wiring procedure and mounting of the lamp socket onto the lamp base in the case of wiring of a new lamp or of rewiring or changing the lamp socket in an existing lamp is a tedious, cumbersome and time consuming procedure. Removal of a defective lamp socket from the lamp base assembly particularly is time consuming since this requires removal of the standard crimplock, detaching the wires from the terminal in the socket, and threadably disengaging the socket from the lamp base with the wires extending from the lamp base and into the socket still present. This requires manipulation of the lamp socket while attempting to maintain the electrical wires extending into the socket stationary so as not to twist and possibly cut or break the wires. In some cases, breaking of the wires, particularly in old lamps, cannot be avoided during removal of the lamp socket, and a complete rewiring of the lamp is then necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial elevational view, a portion of which is shown in sectional view, illustrating the construction details and the mounting of the improved lamp socket assembly of this invention on a lamp base; and

FIG. 2 is a partial elevational view illustrating the improved lamp socket of this invention in a detached position with respect to the lamp base.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is illustrated the improved lamp socket 10 mounted and detached from a lamp base 12, respectively. The lamp socket 10 includes means for simultaneously mechanically mounting and electrically connecting the socket to the lamp base, such means including the pair of prongs 14 for detachably engaging a receptacle 16 in the lamp base 12. One end 18 of each of the prongs 14 is adapted to receive connection and hold down screw 20 for mechanically mounting the prongs to the socket assembly and for electrically connecting the respective prongs to suitable terminals of switch 22 and the terminals corresponding to the bulb 24.

The other end of each of the prongs l4 snugly engages receptacle 16 for detachable contact therewith. In particular, receptacle 16 is formed of connector terminals 26 mounted by suitable means to insulator 28 on each side of the connectors 26 within connector mounting stem 30 of the lamp base frame 32. A central insulator block 34 within the connector mounting stem 30 is comprised of a wall thickness so as to form channel portions 36 between each opposite wall of the insulating block 34 and a respective connector terminal 26.

The channels 36 are sized so as to permit prongs l4, when inserted within receptacle 16, to snugly engage respective connector terminals 26 and opposite walls of insulating block 34 thus affording a secure detachable electrical contact between the prongs l4 and connector terminals 26. It is understood of course that the connector terminals 26 extend within the connector stem 30 and are suitably wired to the standard lamp line cord and plug for engagement with the 1 15 volt AC wall outlets. It is preferred in fact that the receptacle 16 be prewired to the lamp plug and insertable into the lamp stem.

Lamp socket 10 contains the standard threadable portion 40 for threadable engagement with bulb 24. At the other end of the socket 10 there is provided a cylindrical rim 42 for engagement within a cavity 44 provided within the platform portion 46 of the connector stem 30. The cylindrical rim 42 snugly engages cavity '46 when prongs 14 are inserted within the receptacle 16. The bottom and side walls of cavity 44 are sized with respect to rim 42 such that a snug, detachable engagement is provided. Hold down screw means including a screw 48 threadably engages the platform portion 46 of connector stem 30 for passage therethrough so as to contact and securely lock the rim 42 within cavity 44.

Thus, as can be readily seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, replacement of a defective lamp socket from the lamp'base assembly can readily be accomplished by utilizing the present invention. It, for instance, the lamp socket 10 is defective for some reason and requires replacement, the screw 48 is loosened to unlock socket 10 from the lamp base assembly 12. This enables socket 10 to be detached from the lamp base by simply pulling on the socket to disengage the prongs 14 from snug engagement within the receptacle l6, and specifically from snug engagement with terminals 26 and the central insulating block 34. A new socket 10 constructed as illustrated and described herein can then be simply inserted within receptacle 16. The screw 48 is again tightened and the lamp is back in operating order. q

Thus, rather than the tedious, cumbersome and time consuming repair procedure required with standard lamp sockets and lamp base assemblies, the present improved lamp socket and base assembly can considerably increase the number of lamps which can be repaired per hour from the normal three per hour rate.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is: 1. A detachable lamp socket and base assembly comprising:

a lamp socket having a lamp end and a socket plug end, including: means at said lamp end for electrically mounting a lamp therein;

I a receptacle at the uppermost portion of said stem for receiving said prongs extending from said socket plug end;

a pair of terminals within said receptacle, including means for connection to a power supply;

said means including a pair of electrical wires extending from said terminals and through said lamp base; insulating members within said receptacle for mounting said terminalstherein in spacial separation; said lamp socket detachably engaging said lamp base upon insertion of said conductive prongs within said receptacle for electrical engagement with said terminals; and v said rim in detachable snug fitting mounting engagement with said platform during insertion of said conductive prongs within said receptacle.

2. A detachable lamp socket assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plafi'orm further includes a cavity portion defined therein having bottom and substantially cylindrical side walls for detachable snug engagement with said rim.

3. A detachable lamp socket assembly as claimed in claim 2, further including screw means, including a screw threadably engaging said cavity side walls for locking said rim within said cavity.

II I I! III 

1. A detachable lamp socket and base assembly comprising: a lamp socket having a lamp end and a socket plug end, including: means at said lamp end for electrically mounting a lamp therein; at least two conductive prongs mounted in said lamp socket and protruding from said socket plug end; means for connecting one end of each of said conductive prongs within said lamp socket to said lamp; a substantially cylindrical rim extending from said socket plug end of said lamp socket; said conductive prongs protruding beyond said rim from said socket plug end; a lamp base, including an upright stem for supporting said lamp socket; a supporting platform extending from said upright stem for supporting said socket plug end; a receptacle at the uppermost portion of said stem for receiving said prongs extending from said socket plug end; a pair of terminals within said receptacle, including means for connection to a power supply; said means including a pair of electrical wires extending from said terminals and through said lamp base; insulating members within said receptacle for mounting said terminals therein in spacial separation; said lamp socket detachably engaging said lamp base upon insertion of said conductive prongs within said receptacle for electrical engagement with said terminals; and said rim in detachable snug fitting mounting engagement with said platform during insertion of said conductive prongs within said receptacle.
 2. A detachable lamp socket assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said platform further includes a cavity portion defined therein having bottom and substantially cylindrical side walls for detachable snug engagement with said rim.
 3. A detachable lamp socket assembly as claimed in claim 2, further including screw means, including a screw threadably engaging said cavity side walls for locking said rim within said cavity. 